Baton Rouge-based Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar made it official today: the rapidly growing restaurant chain will see its first location open outside of Louisiana.
Walk-On’s Enterprises co-founder Brandon Landry first told Daily Report last month that he was working on a franchise agreement that would bring a Walk-On’s location to Lubbock, Texas. Today, he announced that Jared and Heather Burnett—who also have ownership stakes in West Crust Pizza, Healthy Meals to Go and Twisted Root Burger Co. in Lubbock—have finalized the agreement and plan to open next spring.
“We’ve always thought that Lubbock needed a place where you can go and watch the games, and also enjoy top-notch food,” says Jared Burnett. “When I first ate at Walk-On’s in Baton Rouge, I knew if I ever was to own a sports bar, it would be exactly like that.”
Walk-On’s began a franchising push last fall, and the company has made several big announcements since. In January, a Lake Charles location was announced, its first franchise location. In May, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany, joined the team as co-owners. And earlier this month, Walk-On’s announced former LSU Tiger athletes Jacob Hester and Todd Walker will be partnering with Chris McJunkins to open a location in Shreveport.
The Lubbock location will be located in the West End Shopping Center and will measure roughly 7,500 square feet with seating for more than 280 guests. The Burnetts anticipate opening in early 2016 and, in the process, bringing about 120 new jobs to the city.
Walk-On’s has four existing locations, including two in Baton Rouge, one in New Orleans and another in Lafayette. A company-owned Houma location is set to open this fall, with two more locations—one in the Juban Crossing development in Livingston Parish and another in Zachary—to follow. Several additional markets across the Southern U.S. are also on the drawing board, the company says.
—Steve Sanoski
